February is American Heart Month, and in light of that, we’re bringing back an episode about a group here at Stanford Engineering that’s developing 3D printing methods for human tissues and organs, a process known as bioprinting. Motivated in part by the critical need for heart transplants, Mark Skylar-Scott and his team are specifically working to bioprint tissues of the human heart. It may sound like science fiction, but it’s actually just another example of the groundbreaking research we do here. We hope you’ll take another listen and be inspired by the possibilities.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your quest. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.

Episode Reference Links:

Stanford Profile: Mark A. Skylar-Scott
Mark’s Lab: The Skylar-Scott Lab | Stanford Medicine

Connect With Us:

Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest, Mark Skylar-Scott, a professor of bioengineering at Stanford University.

(00:02:06) What is Bioprinting?

The role of cells and biopolymers in printing functional biological structures.

(00:03:31) Bioprinting a Heart

The potential of printing organs on demand, especially heart tissue.

(00:04:38) Obtaining Cells for Bioprinting

Using stem cells derived from the patient's own cells to create heart tissue.

(00:06:29) Creating Multiple Cell Types for the Heart

The challenge of printing eleven different heart cell types with precision.

(00:08:50) The Scaffold for 3D Printing

The support material used in 3D printing and how it’s later removed.

(00:10:10) Cell Migration and Organ Formation

How cells organize themselves to form functional heart tissue.

(00:12:08) Growing a Full-Sized Heart

Whether they’re printing full-sized hearts or starting with smaller organs.

(00:13:34) Avoiding Overgrowth Risks

The role of bioreactors in shaping the early stages of the organ.

(00:14:57) Scaling Up Cell Production

The need to generate massive numbers of cells for experimentation.

(00:18:32) The Challenge of Vascularization

Creating a blood vessel network to supply oxygen and nutrients.

(00:22:35) Ethical Considerations in Bioprinting

Consent, stem cell sourcing, and the broader ethical landscape.

(00:26:04) The Timeline for Bioprinted Organs

The long timeline for bioprinted organs to reach clinical use.

(00:27:24) The State of the Field & Collaboration

The collaborative, competitive biofabrication field and its rapid progress.

(00:28:20) Conclusion

Connect With Us:

Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon

Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Snacktime: Zelda And Zebra Plants